LONDON (Business Emerge): Electric vehicle sales in Europe have shown significant regional variation, with northern and western countries recording higher adoption rates compared to slower uptake in southern and eastern nations.
Norway, benefiting from government subsidies funded by its sovereign wealth fund and substantial investment in charging networks, reported that electric vehicles accounted for 94 percent of total car sales during the first seven months of 2025. Other Nordic countries and several western European nations have similarly supported EV adoption through financial incentives and infrastructure expansion.
In contrast, southern and eastern European countries have recorded far lower rates of electric vehicle uptake. Croatia, for example, reported that only about 1 percent of vehicles sold in the same period were electric. High purchase costs and limited charging infrastructure remain key challenges in these regions.
Overall, the average share of electric vehicles across the European Union during the first seven months of 2025 remained in the low to mid-single-digit range. EU-level initiatives, including funding for charging infrastructure and selective purchase subsidies, aim to support broader EV adoption.
In countries such as Spain, where government programs encourage electric car purchases, more competitively priced models from Chinese manufacturers have attracted greater sales compared to domestic European brands.
The current distribution of electric vehicle sales indicates that infrastructure development and affordability continue to shape adoption rates. As EU member states implement funding and support measures, regional disparities in EV uptake may influence market dynamics across the continent.
